Two-thirds of European drivers want to be able to continue driving even if self-driving cars become commonplace, according to a new survey.

The research, which polled more than 11,000 European consumers, found that 66% of drivers want to remain behind the wheel, even if self-driving cars become widely available.

The proportion of drivers who want to maintain control of their car was lowest in Italy, where 59% of drivers want to remain behind the wheel, but rose to as high as 71% in the UK, Germany, Austria and Poland.

Only one in three European drivers (33%) say that they welcome the advent of self-driving cars, found the survey, with this figure falling to just a quarter (25%) of drivers in France and the Netherlands.

In addition, the poll found little evidence of greater support for self-driving cars among younger age groups in Europe. According to the survey, 18-24 year olds (33%) were slightly less likely to welcome self-driving cars than those aged 25-34 (36%) and 35-44 (34%).

There really is nothing quite like the physical pleasure of driving

— Jeff Guyton, Mazda Motor Europe

The survey also revealed the emotional connection that many motorists have with driving. More than two-thirds of the drivers polled (69%) hope that future generations will continue to have the option to drive cars, while just over a third of those who enjoy driving (36%) see their car and the act of driving as an extension of their personality.

Driving is also in danger of becoming a ‘forgotten pleasure’, believe 34% of those polled, while more than half of respondents (54%) claim to have been for a drive ‘just for fun’.

The Ipsos research was commissioned by carmaker Mazda. Jeff Guyton, Mazda Motor Europe’s President and CEO, said: “As a brand we simply love driving and this research demonstrates very clearly that a huge number of European drivers agree with us – of course, there is a role for self-driving cars but for us, and for many others it seems, there really is nothing quite like the physical pleasure of driving.”

Get more driverless news

Sign up now for our email newsletter – Behind the Wheel

Email Address

Thank you for signing up. Please keep an eye out for your first newsletter!